Question
Having scanned through past answers and learnt heaps already from the
questions/answers, I realise that my beautiful orchid (only bought some 4
weeks ago) can be saved!  It is suffering an acute case of losing all the flowers
and has now developed one rotting leaf.  I will run out to buy the fir based
repotting mix tomorrow.....
One question please.  The orchid has an extremely long flower stem.  Should
this be pruned back (how and how far) or just left alone.
Many thanks for your valuable expertise!!!!!!!!!!


Answer
Alison, you should trim back your flower spike with a cut just above a node (ie joint) in the flower spike.  It doesn't matter which joint, but the most commonly chosen one is the second or third node up from the base of the flower spike. Each node on the flower spike contains a sheath and, under the sheath, are cells that can differentiate and grow into a branch of the flower spike or even a new plant.

I'm very appreciative of your efforts to use this site to learn about your phalaenopsis. It makes what I do that much more valuable.  I wish you well on your repotting effort.